The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1887-09-17
GOODNESS \ : NE ANNE IS.
a STORY FOR GIRLS.
BY MARY CRANME ER.
CHAPTER I.
THE STRANGE WILL.

where it is located. If the present
story were historical in design or char
acter, a minute description Of its streets,
public buildings, works of art, and SO
on, might not only be Interesting, but
necessary. But we have mentioned
the place merely for the purpose OF
stating that Oh one of its most elegant
and fashionable streets there stood,
some few years since, and still stands,
a beautiful cottage owned by an eccel-
trio Old bachelor, whose Individuality
WAS distinguished from that OF his
neighbors by the name, Joseph Brad
Leigh. AT the time our story begins
he was in his aiSty-fftt, year. II could
be told why he never married, if such
information were necessary to the pur-
pose we have in view, for we are fully
acquainted with all the most interesting
events of "Uncle Joe's" entire life. But
merely to explain one feature of his
disposition, ii is essential TO slate that,
in his youth, he had been most bitterly
disappointed in an oN1il'e tie coe,u'. 1t
was conjectured that this unfortunate
circumstance had some connection with
Uncle Joe's s'sour temper,' as his ac-
quaintapces and friends called it. AT
any rate, after that unhappy day, he
entertained rather indifferent opinion
of the mhgnanimily and eXcel!eucy Of
the opposite sex.
We do not know whether it was to
spite the world, or whether it was from
natural love Of gold, that Uncle Joe
determined 20 devote all his energies to
the accumulation of wealth. However,
waving oil investigation OF his motives,
he commenced commercial life on Il
k.,1 It'll
heart, soul and mind to lay up terres
trial treasures. Being man of splen-
did Judgment in all the affairs Of trade,
anu thoroughly understanding the
practical application Of the principles
uf domestic economy, besides having
the advantages of good education, he
was remarkably successful in the ac-
compiishment Of his object. Every
thing he touched seemed 70 become
metamorposed into gold. At the age
forty five, when Il physical misfortune
arrested his commercial career, he was
regarded as the Clpsus of the ci,y of
But, as we have iutinated, he was
overtaken by severe misfortune,
which made il impossible for him to
fully enjoy the accumulated fruits Q!
"
Frustrated by acute rheumatism. At
the time our story begins, he bad been
constant sufferer for twenty years,
and during that long period he had not
been able to leave his room. This long
continued atiliction rendered Uncle J oe
cross and irritable, and as some thought,
eccentric. He hal a gruH style in cor
versation which would have probably
proved offensive to stranger, but 70,
which his acquaintances made the
proper allowance.
The reader is now prepared iur fully
understanding onr story, and we beg
leave to open the first scene by intro
dncing Uncle Joe and his physician,
DR.. Miles, in the formers room. The
physician had just completed an exam
ination Of his patients chest, and he
turns, and, with Il grave face, says:
"Major, I've always been honest in
giving my opinion of your case, as you
know.'
1t may not be amiss to inform, the
reader that Uncle Joe was dubbed "A
major because be was wealthy man.
not because he had ever held any act
ual command IN an army.
eyes" replied tho Major, 81 Will
give you credit for that, whether you
have ever done me any good OR not,
with your pills and pnn!ticea. But
what are you driving at" Have you
discovered some ether disease o''
''To be honest with you, Major, /
have. If | were like some prac,ition-
ers, would endeavor to keep it secret
from you, but knowing your character
l think it my duty to inform you"
''Wcll, out with it. Don't keep beat
ing round the bush, and slandrling
your rivals.''
"Heaven forbid that / should DO such
thing as that replied DR.. Miles, de-
voutiy throwing his eyes up TO the CELL
ing.
"Never mind that. Wha, discovery
have you made:''
"Don't you feel some oppression III
the region Of your hear?"
"For some lime past | have, if ]
know where my heart is. and if | have
any heart.'
"tndoubtediy," said the physician
with grin, ''you have q heart in the
physical sense, for its action is very
palpable. In a igurative or moral
sense, you are to determine whether
the organ is operative"
"Nhat a wretched attempt TO be
facetious,' said Uncle joe with sncer.
"Hou mean my heart is diseased. do
you?''
al fear it is.''